[maveen]

Hi,

I am a phd student and my current biweekly pay is around $1100 (28K per anum) before deductions.(it is about 880 after deductions). I am single.

This is my fifth year I will become a resident for tax purposes next year. I understand I have to pay FICA next year.

My question is, how will this affect my income. I understand I will have an additional withholding for FICA. But does my federal withholding decrease?

Will my total income (i.e total income after deductions + Tax refund) Increase or decrease? I am asking because even though I pay FICA, as a resident I'll have more benefits right?

Thanks in advance

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

The Social Security tax rate is 6.2%, while Medicare is 1.45%.

Paying these taxes will in no way affect your federal income tax withholding.

[maveen]

The Social Security tax rate is 6.2%, while Medicare is 1.45%.

Paying these taxes will in no way affect your federal income tax withholding.

Thanks for the reply.

However after further research it seems that Graduate assistants are FICA exempted (regardless of resident or non resident status). Is That correct?

Thanks

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

That is the norm; college students who work ON campus typically are exempt from FICA taxes.